SPORTS: All-County wrestling team announced, B1 Deputy recovering after being shot in Claud standoff, B8 Millbrook child porn case goes to grand jury, A2 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024 | VOL. 125, NO. 12 | $1.00
Wetumpka man led police on Holtville High School basketball coach arrested chase to Montgomery and back WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | VOL. 123, NO. 5 | $1.00
Franklin said investigators Wilson was the head basket- investigation and handed it off Wilson was released on a ball coach at Holtville High to the appropriate authorities. with the Elmore County Sher- $6,000 bond 90 minutes afBy CLIFF WILLIAMS and possession ofhave drugthe paraGlen for a preiff’s Office alleged vic-Goggans School and was ter turning himself in accordHe was also placed on adminisNews Editor phernalia. liminary and bond A virtual teacher at Elmore placed on adtim’s phone. Authorities collect- ing to the hearing Elmore County Jail trative leave at that time.” was finally Tuesday.website. County School’s Edge program ministrative ed he Wilson’s phone as well. Dennis said school officialsWhen A 32-year-old Wetumpstopped by spike stripes, The Wetumpka has been arrested and charged leave Jan. 13 “You could see a conversaDennis Police said Wilson also follow the same procedure ka man is administrators still in jail after receive thea open of beer the in the Department was running with school employee distrib- according to Eltioncan between two,” Frankcoached other sports at Holtwhen a January for felony against console James Dylan Ren-is speed operations reportarrest of allegations uting obscene material to a stu- more County linofsaid. “Mr. Wilson going radar ville schools including being attempting to elude, was still cold. had near on U.S. school staff and reckless employees.ner’s vehicle dent. to contend someone theBurger Schools superthe King head track coach and assisSUBMITTED | TPI endangerment, driving under His case was before Elmore “Once we hand it over, we Elmore County Sheriff Bill security code to his phone and intendent Richtant football coach. Quality of life projects in Eclectic funded by the Elmore CounRENNER See CHASE, the influence, arrestwhatCounty Court Judge There know veryresisting little about is heDistrict saidincluded Emmanuel Andre was not responsible. ardEclectic Dennis. Dennis said Page otherA7staff would ty Franklin Commission a road south of Elementary WILSON for the duties of Wilson at going on,” Dennis said. “We Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery is other information we can’t “We had a refill in School.The road will surround athletic fields.The Town of EclecHoltville while he is on admincooperate with authorities if turned himself into authorities disclose now but I don’t think port,” Dennis tic will seek grants to fund the construction of a walking trail afternoon. it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.” istrative leave. theTuesday town owns near the fire department.said. “We had a preliminary necessary.” By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
$20 million to be spent on public projects in Elmore County
Chamber holds luncheon
welcoming members
The growth has led to the construction of 17 Springs in Millbrook with Elmore County is grow- the idea lodging taxes ing. could sustain quality of life By Cliff Williams Businesses are opening. projects across the county. Staff Writer Schools are looking at And things are looking needing additional space. good. The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its The courts are adding two annual luncheon to install new officers and board PROJECTS, Page A7 judges. members for the first time inSee a while Thursday. By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka. “We haven’t been able to do this for the last couple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back By CLIFFtogether WILLIAMS house with thosetobig and have these opportunities seered each News Editor trucks. I said they were real See lifeCHAMBER, superheroes.” Page A3 Elmore County High A few years later he was School junior Patrick Hart volunteering at the departhas known what he wants ment. He now pulls hose to do for a career for a and controls nozzles from long time. outside fires. As a child, Hart envi“I’m too young still to sioned himself as a super- go inside a fire,” Hart said. hero he saw in cartoons The story is much the and movies. But that same for Stanhope Elmore changed. junior Zylan Foulks, “I was obsessed with though he wants to be a superheroes,” Hart said. police officer. He followed “I thought I was going to a mentor and is volunbecome one. One day the teering on weekends and Friendship Fire Department came flying past my See CREATING, Page A7
Creating tomorrow’s first responders
Police continue investigation, man no longer suspected
CHAMBER HONORS LOCAL BUSINESSES By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer
UNDER THE STARS CLIFF WILLIAMS/
THE HERALD
Police are still investigating the fatal shooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parking lot on Jan. 20. Police were dispatched to the parking lot around 10:45 p.m. for a “shots fired” call. Once there, they found Centell Winston, 42 of Tallassee, dead of a gunshot wound By CLIFF WILLIAMS ty of our size,” Whitfield said. Chamber of memin the driver seat ofdirector his vehicle. News Editor “They are more than mem- According bership to andWetumpka marketing Andrew police chief bers. They are involved.” Greg Benton, Stieb announced 2024 Small shootthis was not a random he stars came out SatWhitfield said the chamber ing. Business Awards, which recurday as the Wetumpka held ribbon cuttings through-“This ognize leadership, was exemplary not random, not a random Area Chamber of Comout the last year and each one unwavering sup-the vicact,” said Benton.community “We believe merce honored exemplary was “awesome.” port, chamber involvetim and theactive perpetrator knew each other.” local businesses. “There is something spe- Thisment success is theand firstnotable homicide in Wetumpka For the first time in several cial about standing next to in over in three the business community. years. The last homicide in years, the chamber brought someone who has invested the in city Totook keepplace the selection in 2018. pronot afrom goodbeing way to start out the new back a formal banquet and our community to make their“It’scess a popularity said Benton. businesses of the year. Shellie dream of a business come year,”contest an out-of-state group didn’t want to speculate Whitfield has been the directrue,” Whitfield said. “The Benton made the selections based onon the tor of the chamber for five of businesses are amazing and criteria established by Alaits 35 years. they chose us.” bama Chambers, the Chamber See SHOOTING, Page A3 “It has been an honor and Whitfield highlighted sevof Commerce Association of privilege to work with so eral of the programs and func- Alabama. many wonderful people here tions of the chamber including Lil’ Farmhouse Market was for the greater good,” Whitthe Rise and Shine Coffee. selected as the emerging busifield said. “We have seen “Just a couple years ago, ness having been open less incredible and positive change we were lucky to have 10 peo- than five years. theall school culture from that of a shift in a positive direction. across Elmore County.” ple show up,” Whitfield said.The “This year’s award winner schoolThe struggling low memmo- school experienced 62 percent chamberwith has 310 “Now we have morea than 50 celebrates a remarkable jourrale,bers achievement attendancein decrease in show discipline and addedand 68 members people that up. A referrals, lot of ney, marked by resilience, to athe school that strives for excel- 50 percent decrease chronic last year. great relationships areincreated lence.“It Byiscollaborating with staff, absenteeism, percent increase crazy for a communicasually over 7a cup of coffee.” See STARS, Page A7 many of the school’s issues were in the graduation rate, 33 percent identified and addressed. Futral’s increase in CCR rate and a 20 perleadership style of listening, en- cent increase in ACT proficiency WILLIAMS | TPI couraging, supporting, organizing in the lastCLIFF five years. Lil’ Farmhouse Market’s Lana Hebert, center, poses with Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce’s and challenging the staff and stuAndrew Stieb after the business named thePage 2024 Seewas PRINCIPAL, A3Emerging Business. dents, caused the school culture to FUTURAL
T
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year schoolwide assembly at Holtville High School. Elmore County SuThe Alabama Association of perintendent Richard Dennis was Secondary School Principals in attendance for the presentation. (AASSP) named Holtville High “Kyle Futral is an exceptionSchool principal Kyle Futral the al principal and is very proac2022 Alabama High School Prin- tive and innovative in his thinkWILLIAMS | TPI cipal of the Year. ing andCLIFF approaches to managing Elmore Technical Center public safety instructor FitzThe County High School Principal of his school,” Dennis said, gerald Sheppard gives a review on taking blood the Year award wasstudents presented to lesson As principal of Holtville High pressure last week. The programs goal is to introduce students Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a School, Futral has transformed to careers in firefighting and law enforcement. Staff Report
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